New hotels now required to provide beach access to Jamaicans
NEW HOTELS which are currently in development in Jamaica are now required to provide beach access to locals, according to a Jamaican minister.
Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, said hotel proposals currently being approved in the Caribbean country are now required to have a pathway to provide beach access to citizens.
According to The Jamaica Gleaner, Minister Samuda made the announcement during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives last month.
While speaking, he referenced a recent hotel development between the Riu and Royalton hotels in Trelawny which has provided beach access to locals.
Samuda said “with other developments that are coming, you will see similar pathways providing access.”
Additionally, Samuda said the Beach Access Policy has been completed and is before Cabinet for final revie
There has been a growing call for the Beach Control Act of 1956 (BCA-1956), which regulates Jamaicans rights to access all beaches, to be replaced immediately.
Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement’s (JABBEM) has been calling for all of Jamaica’s beaches to be made accessible to local people.
The leading campaign group say the law stems from the colonial era and is “racist” and discriminatory and they want this changed.
JABBEM was launched following reports that some local Jamaicans were being turned away from beaches in the Caribbean country.
The group’s president, Dr Devon Taylor, is a Biomedical Research Scientist and an environmental and social justice advocate
The group previously launched a petition, which is addressed to the Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Jamaica’s head of state King Charles III for immediate changes to law.
The demands follow months of reports that some local Jamaicans were being denied access to some beaches on the island.
Minister Samuda also added that the new policy will balance the rights and expectations of citizens and local and foreign investors – while adhering to the laws of Jamaica.
In April 2023, Dr Taylor, told The Voice British tourists should boycott hotels and resorts that deny Jamaicans access to beaches across the island.
The demand for beach access has been backed by three of Bob Marley’s children, Ziggy, Cedella and Stephen and also Reggae artist Sizzla Kalonji.
New hotels now required to provide beach access to Jamaicans